Frequently Asked Questions about Family Sessions

I’ve never done this before, where do I begin?

First, just send me an email! Let me know what you’re looking for and together we’ll build your perfect session. Do you want to capture the fun things you do together throughout the day? Do you love the French Quarter or have a favorite park? Do you want to capture your home life? Let me know any questions or concerns you might have, because I want both you and your children to be relaxed and happy. Family sessions last about 30-40 minutes and are high energy to keep your child interested and excited.

Why should I use Twirl Photography?

My clients want something unique and beautiful to hang on their wall. They want high-end products that aren’t available to the average consumer. They want to remember their loved ones through meaningful images, rather than snapshots. I capture the spirit and personality of your family in a way that no one else can. My style is uniquely me, and my clients want and appreciate the quality of a Twirl Photography original. I have a very calm energy, lots of patience, and years of experience.

I am not photogenic.

NOT true! I firmly believe that everyone can look beautiful in a photograph. It all has to do with lighting and angles and knowing what to look for to get those amazing shots. Beautiful photographs are about human connection, be prepared to be photographed. No one can make your child laugh like you can and I want to capture that!

What does the session fee cover?

The session fee covers many things on top of the actual session. There is time involved in prepping for the shoot, travel (if needed), uploading and archiving the files, professionally editing your images, as well as my talent and experience. It helps pay for the equipment and supplies I need to continue providing high-quality service and images, as well as business insurance, utilities, and much more!

What do prints cost?

I encourage you to really think about why you’re getting professional photos done, and how you want to display them. Do you want some big pieces of art for your home? Do you want to put together a grouping for a “gallery” feel? Would you prefer to have a beautiful album to leaf through your favorite images? There are lots of options and I’m more than happy to help you pick what’s right for your space and your budget. Although I have no minimum order, most of my clients spend around $600 and up on collections, prints and albums.

Can I get a Flash Drive of the images?

The digital files are a wonderful keepsake that you can share with friends and family. We offer a digital collection of the edited images for an additional cost. The files are great if you have a favorite that you’d like to share on a social network or use to create your own greeting cards. Note that our professional labs are color-matched to our monitors, and we can only speak to the quality of products that are purchased through us.

How can I pay you?

We happily accept a check, cash or a credit card payment made through Paypal. Session fees are due at the time of the session. Products can be paid in full upon ordering, or payment plans are available as well.

What do we wear to our session?

Think about your color choices and patterns. Most colors are fine, but I don’t recommend wearing white or black. Don’t be afraid of color or fun patterns! The most important thing is to stay in the same tonal range, all light or darker colors. I never want to be photographing someone wearing a white shirt next to someone wearing a dark shirt. Too much contrast. These are images you’ll be looking at for a long time, so dress up a bit, accessorize, and ask yourself “could I go to a fancy restaurant wearing this?” If no, change!

How do newborn session work?

If you are pregnant, contact me before you deliver. Your estimated due date helps in planning ahead. Newborn sessions go much more smoothly if the baby is under 10 days old and photographed in your home. If you’ve missed this time frame, don’t fret, with patience and expertise we can still capture some outstanding images of your baby. I allow plenty of time for nursing and cuddling, so plan on a session lasting two to three hours. Newborns look best au naturel, but don’t be afraid to ask about silly hats or provide some of your own. If you want family portraits done with another sibling, it’s best to start with those, and then have a caregiver ready to entertain the older child so we can concentrate on getting your newborn to sleep.